Computers & Business Machines
Imagine the loss, 100 years from now, if museums hadn't begun preserving the artifacts of the computer age. The last few decades offer proof positive of why museums must collect continuously—to document technological and social transformations already underway.
The museum's collections contain mainframes, minicomputers, microcomputers, and handheld devices. Computers range from the pioneering ENIAC to microcomputers like the Altair and the Apple I. A Cray2 supercomputer is part of the collections, along with one of the towers of IBM's Deep Blue, the computer that defeated reigning champion Garry Kasparov in a chess match in 1997. Computer components and peripherals, games, software, manuals, and other documents are part of the collections. Some of the instruments of business include adding machines, calculators, typewriters, dictating machines, fax machines, cash registers, and photocopiers
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Badge, 1985 Federal Office Automation Conference
- Description
- This is a badge for Tom Chase, head conservator of the Freer Gallery of Art, admitting him to the Federal Office Automation Conference on October 30, 1985. The plastic badge is attached to a paper card giving further details.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 2000
- 2001
- 1985
- maker
- Christian Register
- ID Number
- 2011.3014.04
- nonaccession number
- 2011.3014
- catalog number
- 2011.3014.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Microsoft Windows NT OS/2 Design Workbook
- Description
- This binder contains the original design specifications for “NT OS/2,” an operating system designed by Microsoft that developed into Windows NT. In the late 1980s, Microsoft's 16-bit operating system, Windows, gained popularity, prompting IBM and Microsoft to end their OS/2 development partnership. Although Windows 3.0 proved to be successful, Microsoft wished to continue developing a 32-bit operating system completely unrelated to IBM's OS/2 architecture. To head the redesign project, Microsoft hired David Cutler and others away from Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). Unlike Windows 3.x and its successor, Windows 95, NT's technology provided better network support, making it the preferred Windows environment for businesses. These two product lines continued development as separate entities until they were merged with the release of Windows XP in 2001.
- Authors of sections of the design workbook include David N. Cutler, Helen Custer, Daryl E. Havens, Jim Kelly, Edwin Hoogerbeets, Gary D. Kimura, Chuck Lenzmeier, Mark Lucovsky, Tom Miller, Michael J. O'Leary, Lou Perazzoli, Steven D. Rowe, David Treadwell, and Steven R. Wood.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1989
- creator
- Microsoft Corporation
- team leader
- Cutler, David N.
- maker
- Microsoft Corporation
- ID Number
- 2001.3014.01
- nonaccession number
- 2001.3014
- catalog number
- 2001.3014.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Software, KeyEdit
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.084
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.084
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Software, Typing Tutor
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980
- maker
- Microsoft Corporation
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.088
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.088
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Documentation, FORTRAN Reference Guide
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- maker
- Microsoft Corporation
- ID Number
- 2015.3167.12
- catalog number
- 2015.3167.12
- nonaccession number
- 2015.3167
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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